The rounds, in 2026–27
| Round | US universities | Binding? | How it works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision (ED) | 232 | Yes | Apply early (often November 1 or 15), answer in December. If admitted, you attend and withdraw your other applications. |
| Early Decision II | 127 | Yes | The same commitment, with a deadline in January. |
| Early Action (EA) | 438 | No | Apply early, hear back early, decide by the reply date (usually May 1). |
| Restrictive Early Action | 6 | No, with limits | Not binding, but you can't apply early to other private universities. California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Harvard University, Princeton University, Stanford University, University of Notre Dame, Yale University. |
| Regular Decision | 484 | No | Deadline in January or February, answer in late March or early April. |
And 599 universities use rolling admission. Full lists: Early Decision, Early Action, Restrictive Early Action.
What you can combine
| Combination | Allowed? |
|---|---|
| One Early Decision + Early Action elsewhere | Usually yes, unless your Early Decision university forbids it |
| Two Early Decisions at once | No |
| Restrictive Early Action + Early Decision elsewhere | No |
| Restrictive Early Action + Early Action at public universities | Often, depending on the university's policy |
| Early Decision denied or deferred, then Early Decision II elsewhere | Yes |
Early Decision and financial aid
Early Decision means committing before you can compare aid offers. If the aid offered really doesn't let your family pay, the agreement usually lets you withdraw, but the university decides under its own process. If you need aid, check before you apply that the university gives aid to international students admitted in Early Decision.
Questions
What's the difference between Early Decision and Early Action?
Early Decision is binding: if you're admitted, you attend. Early Action isn't: you hear back early and keep until the reply date to decide.
Can international students apply Early Decision?
Yes: 232 US universities offer it for 2026–27. If you need financial aid, check first that the university gives aid to international students admitted in Early Decision.
Which universities have Restrictive Early Action?
California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Harvard University, Princeton University, Stanford University, University of Notre Dame, Yale University for 2026–27.